Experience Drachenfelsbahn

History

The History of the Drachenfelsbahn 1882 - 1888

November 1882:The Deutsche Lokal- und Straßenbahngesellschaft (German District and Tramway Company) embarks on the construction of the Drachenfelsbahn (Dragon Rock Railway) according to the plans of engineer Riggenbach. A total mass of 23,000 cubic metres of earth must be moved. 4,537 cubic metres of mortar masonry and 1,211 cubic metres of dry masonry must be built. Costs of approx. 617,000 Marks are incurred until the Drachenfelsbahn is put into service on 17th July 1883.

November 1883:In these few months (127 days of service), the Drachenfelsbahn transports a total of 62,480 passengers.

May 1888:Following the successful launch of the Drachenfelsbahn, the Petersberg is also developed by building a cog railway. This is completed in April 1889 and is quite successful at first. However, due to the later construction of a road to the top of the Petersberg and the poor accessibility of the valley station, its popularity fades at the beginning of the 20th century. The operation of the Petersberg cog railway is discontinued in 1958.

March 1913:Ferdinand Mülhens, owner of “4711 – Eau de Cologne”, purchases the railway business from the Deutsche Lokal- und Straßenbahngesellschaft.

April 1924:By authority of the Reichsbahndirektion (State Railway management), the Petersberg and the Drachenfels cog railways are amalgamated under the name “Bergbahnen im Siebengebirge” (Mountain Railways in the Seven Hills).

September 1939:The beginning of World War II has great impact on the operation of the railways. But despite major restrictions during the years of the war, the service is never discontinued. After the war, homecoming prisoners of war and local helpers restore the mountain railways to their original state.

March 1955:After a period of 72 years, electrically driven locomotives gradually replace the steam engines. On the Drachenfels, however, the latter remain in service until 1960.

July 1957:The valley station is extensively rebuilt and renovated. Concrete, steel and quarry stone walls give it its characteristic features, which it has retained until today.

A new type of roof design, open to the sides, protects the visitors from wind and weather.

November 1999:The modernisation of the electrically driven locomotives begins. The work is completed in 2001.

January 2004:The city of Königswinter and the Bergbahnen im Siebengebirge AG are planning to rebuild the valley station into a combined railway station, tourist information and exhibition centre. In just three months, architect Michael C. Deisenroth designs a concept uniting these three elements under one roof. The “Drachenfels Tourismus-Bahnhof” (Dragon Rock Tourism Station) is born on paper.

October 2004:The rebuilding and renovation work begins. A total budget of 1.97 million Euro is available for the modification, the sum being equally shared between the Bergbahnen im Siebengebirge AG and the Federal Republic of Germany (within the scope of the “Bonn-Berlin compensation”).

March 2005:The modification has been completed. The “Drachenfels Tourismus-Bahnhof” opens its gates to the general public under the patronage of Federal Secretary Wolfgang Clement.